Northwestern Pritzker School of Law has added two significant curricular options -- a concentration of courses and a lab -- designed to help graduates succeed in the technologically driven global economy.

The Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship concentration will expose students to the issues that drive the innovation process and to the role of technology in the modern economy.

The Innovation Lab will focus on the legal, business, technical, teamwork, design and presentation skills involved in the innovation process and allow students to put those skills to work in designing a commercial product that will solve a legal problem.

“Relentless innovation raises countless strategic, legal and regulatory considerations, and technology often gets in front of the law,” said Daniel Rodriguez, dean of the Law School. “These curriculum enhancements will address the critical need for lawyers and technologists to collaborate early and often.

“To navigate the evolving needs and expectations of employers and clients, students need to be exposed to issues that drive the innovation process and the role of technology in today’s economy,” he said.

The Entrepreneurship Law Center has served close to 1,000 clients since its creation in 1998. Under the supervision of faculty, students work together to represent a variety of business ventures on projects ranging from intellectual property protection to drafting founders’ agreements and customer contracts.

“These new initiatives represent an important development in the DPELC as we continue to build a robust interdisciplinary learning environment,” said Esther Barron, clinical professor of law and director of the DPELC. “The DPELC strives to prepare our students not only to be successful lawyers but to also play valuable roles as members of entrepreneurial teams.”